There and Back Again Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Gandalf is a wizard who has organized an expedition of Dwarves who wish to reclaim their ancient home and treasure from the evil dragon, Smaug, who lives in Lonely Mountain. In order to do so, they must undertake a long, risky journey, for which the wizard provides a map and a key. Gandalf stays with them and makes sure they get off to a good start, and they come to rely on his wisdom and powers. He is the one who saves them from the Goblins and Wargs. He also has friends who help the group on their way. He leaves for a while before the adventure is complete, but rejoins the group in the end.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who seems to be living the good life when he is persuaded by Gandalf to accompany the group of Dwarves to regain their ancient homeland. His main role is to act as a burglar; Gandalf seems to think that while there is no way to defeat the evil dragon with an army, that the group might be able to steal it from him. While Bilbo doesn't think he is up to the challenge, he agrees to join in the adventure and discovers that he is stronger and more shrewd than he ever imagined.

Long ago, during the reign of Thorin's grandfather, King Thrór, the dragon Smaug conquered Lonely Mountain, or Erebor, taking the Dwarves' treasure and driving them into exile. That was about 200 years ago. He still lives there, guarding his wealth, until a group of braves Dwarves, with the help of a secret door, arrive to take back what rightfully belongs to them.

Thorin Oakenshield is the King of Durin's Folk, one of the Dwarf clans, and the undisputed leader of the group of the Dwarves while on their adventure. He is very proud of his lineage, and is also a very able fighter while using Orchist, the sword he took from the trolls. His main directive to the group is to NOT tell anyone or anything about their mission. Thorin is fatally wounded at the Battle of Five Armies toward the end of the story, and is buried with Orchist, which will glow blue and serve to warn the people of Lonely Mountain if enemies ever again arrive.

The other Dwarves on the list who participated in the adventure, Balin and Dori, both had special skills to assist the group. Balin typically serves as the groups' lookout, and is Thorin's second-in-command, as he is the next oldest in the group. At first he is not sure of the group really needs a hobbit, but he warms up to Bilbo when Bilbo proves that he can contribute. In fact, Balin likes Bilbo so much that he even goes part of the way into Smaug's lair with him when it was time to check it out.

Many times, when it is difficult for Bilbo to continue with the quest, Dori assists him, even though he usually complains about it. During their escape from the Goblins in the Misty Mountains, Dori carries Bilbo part of the way because he can't move as fast as the Dwarves, and he also goes out of his way to help Bilbo to safety when the group was attacked by the nasty wolves called Wargs.

William and Tom appear with their friend Bert early in "The Hobbit". They are trolls who capture Bilbo and the others, happy to look forward to eating roasted dwarves and their ponies. The group is rescued by Gandalf, who spurs the trio into an argument, making them forget that they cannot not stand the light of day. The adventurers are able to raid the trolls' larder, getting needed food and weapons. Two of the weapons taken, both swords, prove invaluable to Thorin and Gandalf, the highest ranking members of the group.

Elrond Half-elven is a friend of Gandalf's and he offers the group a place to rest after their experience with the trolls. He tells them about the significance of some of the weapons they took from the trolls, and also reads the map for them. This is significant because Elrond is able to read the runes on the map, and also sees moon-letters on it, which the Dwarves did not previously notice. He is able to give the best advice on when to try and take over Lonely Mountain. Members of the group are in high spirits when they leave Elrond's city.

Tired and needing rest, at one point in their journey the adventurers decide to stay in a cave that seems safe - but it isn't. It is a Goblin cave and they are sleeping on the Goblins' Front Porch! Goblins take their ponies, and also begin to take the Dwarves one by one. When the Great Goblin sees some of the Dwarves' weapons, he falls into a rage, as they actually belonged to Goblins before the trolls stole them. A pitched battle occurs, which ends when Gandalf appears and kills the Great Goblin with his claimed sword, Glamdring.

Escaping from the Goblins proves to be quite a chore, and Bilbo is separated from his friends within the cave. This is where he meets Gollum, a strange creature who lives alone, and, more significantly, Bilbo finds the ring of invisibility that is of great use to him on the remainder of the quest. He and Gollum play a game of riddles - which Bilbo wins far and square - but all bets are off when Gollum realizes that Bilbo has found his ring, one of his birthday-presents in days past.

When the Wargs attack the band of adventurers Gandalf thinks that he can defeat them by using fiery pine cones, however, the Wargs, with assistance from their Goblin allies, are smart enough to turn the fire against the group, whose members are hiding in the trees. They are rescued by the Lord of the Eagles, another one of Gandalf's acquaintances, just in a nick of time. The rescue allows the party to rest and recuperate for a short time, plus the eagles carry them for a distance that they otherwise would have had to walk.

Next the group meets Beorn, the skin-changer. It is a bit unclear as to what type of creature Beorn really is - suffice it to say that he is a man who can change into a bear. He is won over by the band's stories about how they had defeated the Goblins and Wargs, who are his enemies as well. Beorn has very valuable advice about the Mirkwood Forest, and gives the group food, ponies, and weapons that are used to continue their long quest.

But then the groups is taken by the Elvenking; he makes sure that they are fed, but imprisons each one - save for the invisible Bilbo - in his own cell. Why?? He wants to know what they are doing in his land, and Thorin has told his band not to give that information to anyone. Bilbo spends quite a bit of time gathering information and making a successful plan which frees the group.

When they arrive at Esgaroth, or Lake-town, the Dwarves meet with the Master of Lake-town, who isn't quite sure that Thorin is the King Under the Mountain, but pretends to believe his story. Esgaroth is attacked by Smaug when he thinks the town has something to do with the Dwarves' assault of his fortress, and the Master turns out to be quite a self-serving leader who is scorned by his people. Corrupted by the wealth, he meets a not so happy end.

Bard the Bowman takes the Master's place as leader of Esgaroth, and proves his worth by killing Smaug with an arrow. He has learned about Smaug's vulnerability in a rather curious way; the thrush, whose appearance is taken as a sign of hope, has listened in as Bilbo makes discoveries and observations. In fact, he helps Bilbo discover the way into Lonely Mountain! Since Bard is able to understand the thrush, he learns where he should place his arrow.

Thorin, however, cannot understand the thrush, and so it brings an ancient raven named Roäc with whom Thorin can communicate. Roäc spreads news regarding the destruction of Esgaroth and death of Smaug, tells Thorin that the people of Lake-town will want a share of his treasure, and warns Thorin about impending danger. He also sends ravens to tell Dain, Thorin's cousin, that his help is needed.

Dain arrives with an army of thousands of Dwarves, and fights with the Elves and Men against the Goblins and Wargs in the Battle of Five Armies. After Thorin dies, Dain becomes King.

The incorrect choices - Aragorn, Frodo Baggins, Galadriel, Legolas, Sauron, and Gimli - are Middle-earth characters who appear in Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Rings".